Rome has had a special place in the art and beauty of the world for years ago. The Roman baths, the outstanding architecture created in this beautiful city throughout history, the sculptures, and the paintings all reflect the special place of Rome in the art of the world. Meanwhile, Rome has always been a unique city among Italian filmmakers. Directors like Pasolini, Fellini and Antonioni, and other contemporary filmmakers have always used the city of Rome and its beauties in their films and created unexpected cinematic moments for us.

We hope to use Roman history and grandeur in favour of creating a unique festival atmosphere. This festival will be held seasonally in Rome to show outstanding short films in this beautiful city each season. Roma short is dedicated to celebrating the works of independent filmmakers worldwide, and we pay special attention to ultra-low-budget films by first and second-time directors. The festival hopes to provide a place for cinema lovers and independent filmmakers to get acquainted with the latest works in cinema. We hope to create a social space around cinema and promote new discourses about the future of cinema.

The festival has a seasonal structure. First of all, our jury will review the nominated films. We award films each season. The winning movies will be selected for online screening. Winners receive laurels and will be listed on our website.

Awards ans Categories

Each season, we will choose official selection and winners for:

Short Film
Short Documentary
Animated Short
Experimental Short
Horror / Sci-Fi Short
Short Short (under 5 minutes)
Music Video
Web Series
Short Screenplay
Female Short Director
Male Short Director
Short Actor
Short Actress
Supporting Short Actor
Short Ensemble Cast
Short Cinematography
Short Sound Design
Short Original Music/Song/Score

Rules & Terms:

-Entrees must have been completed after January 2017.
-Multiple submissions and multiple category submissions are accepted.
-If submitting for 'Best Actor' or 'Best Supporting Actor', please indicate in your cover letter the name of the Actor you wish to be considered.
-Shorts must be less than 45 minutes.
-Your submission grants the festival to use posters, stills, and trailers to promote films.
-There are no waivers or refunds for submission fees.
-All submissions must provide screener link via FilmFreeway.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • stefania gallo

    We are honored to be semi-finalists in Rome! our country, there is a lot of confusion and mismanagement of the laws and usage that regulate digital. Talking about electrosensitivities - on a small budget - in our country is not easy. But we believe in opening a speech.

    April 2026
  • Chiara Basile Fasolo

    Thank you to the festival for selecting my film “Double Code” as a Semi-Finalist.
    I’m truly honored by this recognition.
    It means a lot to see the project resonate with you.

    April 2026
  • Lynwood Shiva Sawyer

    Dear Rome International Short Festival,
    The darkly sardonic short, The Country Gentlewoman, is our debut effort. We wanted to express how dead chuffed [delighted, pleased] to receive the recognition from such a prestigious Festival.
    Wishing you much success in this year’s and all you Future festivals.
    Hope, Ellie and Lauren

    April 2026
  • Thank you to the judges and organizers of the Rome International Short Festival for awarding 'The Painter's Sacred Flame' Best Music Video in the recent season. It is so encouraging for guerilla film-makers to gain recognition on the international stage. It really helps Short film makers and music video producers to reach audiences by offering a platform for peer review and endorsement by film industry professionals. My sincere appreciation, Barry Ferrier

    April 2026
  • Mark Keil

    Aloha, mucho mahalo for selecting my tennis comedy script ‘Wide Open.’ I would need a writing partner to finish it & make it a full length feature screenplay. Hopefully a production company will want to buy the script & we can make it! Please forward it to prospective producers!

    April 2026